RTÉ Sport today announced the shortlist for the RTÉ Sports Person of the Year award, the RTÉ Sports Team of the Year award and new award, the RTÉ Sports Manager of the Year.

The winners will be revealed and presented with their awards at the RTÉ Sports Awards, in association with the Irish Sports Council, which will be broadcast live on RTÉ One at 9.30pm on Sunday, December 18.

Presented by Darragh Maloney, Michael Lyster, Clare MacNamara and Des Cahill, the live show will review what was a wonderful year for Irish athletes and teams and look back on the dramatic and memorable sporting moments of 2011.

The RTÉ Sports Person of the Year shortlist features the following nine finalists:

- Darren Clarke, winner of the British Open

- Michael Fennelly, GAA GPA All-Star and Hurler of the Year

- Sean O'Brien, Heineken Cup winner and ERC European Player of the Year